Washington Augustus Roebling

Washington Augustus Roebling II (March 25, 1881 – April 14, 1912) was an American businessman and early automobile manufacturer who perished in the sinking of RMS Titanic. Early life and education Born in Trenton, New Jersey, in 1881 into the prominent Roebling family of American Industrialists, to Charles (1849–1918) Roebling and Sarah Mahon Ormsby (1856–1887), he was named after his famous uncle, the Civil War officer and supervising engineer for the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge, Washington Roebling. He attended the elite Hill School in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, where he was an adept football player. After working with his father in the family business, John A. Roebling Sons Company, he began working with the Walter Automotive Company as its secretary. Automotive career In 1909, Washington Roebling II arranged to take over the Walter Automobile Company from William Walter because of its mounting financial issues. The company was moved to an abandoned brewery owned by the Kuser family in Hamilton, New Jersey, outside of Trenton. Washington Roebling II’s father, Ferdinand Roebling was made President, John Louis Kuser, the twin brother of prominent New Jersey businessman Anthony R. Kuser was made secretary-treasurer, and Washington was made general manager of the new enterprise, Mercer Automobile Company. The company marketed itself to the high end and racing markets. He worked with noted French auto designer Etienne Planche, designing the Roebling-Planche Racing Car which performed well in auto races of the time. Roebling tested all Mercer Models before they entered market, and participated in racing. He finished second at the Savannah Trophy Race for Light Cars in November 1911.